emphases

Variant of emphasis

emphasis definition

em·pha·sis (em′fə sis)

noun pl. emphases -·ses′ (-sēz′)

  1. force of expression, thought, feeling, action, etc.
  2. special stress given as to a syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
  3. special attention given to something so as to make it stand out; importance; stress; weight to put less emphasis on athletics

Etymology: L < Gr emphasis, an appearing in, outward appearance < emphainein, to indicate < en-, in + phainein, to show < IE base *bha-, to shine > OE bonian, to polish

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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